VOLUNTEER

Earn a refund for you and your backyard today! One of the simplest ways to improve your outdoor space is by installing a rain collection drain or a compost bin. Rain Reserve is offering Chicago residents money back as a benefit for their purchase of this environmentally friendly technology. As part of the Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program, we encourage you to help make the city more green one yard at a time.

People have the option to purchase a 50 gallon rain barrel and 75 gallon compost bin for $152.20. You can also choose either the barrel or compost bin and receive a $40 rebate on that purchase.

The purpose of the rain barrel is to conserve water, which can then be recycled to water the flowers in your yard, for example. You can watch this video on how the process works, but basically the rain is diverted from your gutters into this bin to be collected. Along with that, the program hopes to get more people involved in composting initiatives to reuse the scraps of raw food to create more green spaces.

The program will be ending on January 31st, 2014, and will be run on a first come, first served basis depending upon the budget. This is something to keep in mind in the months to come, and it could even make for a unique holiday gift! The promotion also includes free delivery of the barrel or compost bins. The designs of these waste technologies are easily transportable, modern, and not distracting.

The Chicago Department of Transportation also sponsors the Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program. That being said, it is important our community members are aware of how these organizations work together to maintain our beautiful city. We recommend that you check out their Facebook page to find announcements about events, environmental news, and the progress of the program.